Violence broke out in Thiruvananthapuram, Kannur and Kozhikode districts in the first few hours of the hartal clamped in the state Wednesday.

The 12-hour bandh called state-wide took effect since six in the morning. The strike was imposed with the demand that the chief minister, who has been tainted in the solar scam case, must resign and face judicial investigation and also in protest against the police action on the MLAs, who took out a demonstration in the state capital on Monday night, following Solar scam complainant, Sreedharan's revelations.

Most of the shops have downed the shutters and vehicles mostly stayed off the roads. All examinations which were scheduled for Wednesday have been postponed. However, emergency services and the Kuttanad Taluk in Alappuzha district has been exempted from the strike. The LDF meeting which was convened Tuesday has also planned a continuous protest programmes from 12th of this month.

The LDF MLAs and leaders will observe a day-night fasting in front of the secretariat on 22nd  and an indefinite fasting will be carried out in front secretariat and other district centres from 24th of this month.